Former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Atty. Salvador Panelo stated that the Commission on Audit (COA) holds exclusive authority to investigate whether the expenditures of government agencies are legal or illegal.
In an interview with DZRH's Damdaming Bayan, Panelo reiterated that the actions of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability towards Office of the Vice President (OVP) Undersecretary Atty. Zuleika Lopez were incorrect.
"Para sa akin ‘yung ginawa nila kay Zuleika Lopez, I’m sorry to say, but ‘yung ground nila na undue interference does not hold water," Panelo said.
On November 20, Lopez was cited for contempt due to "undue interference" during Committee hearings on the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd).
During the House hearing, it was revealed that Lopez had written to the COA, requesting that it refrain from submitting the audit report to the chamber, as an investigation into the matter was still ongoing.
"Ang tanong, ‘yun bang Commission on Audit, failed or refuse to release the documents pursuant to the letter request of Atty. Lopez? The answer is no," Panelo stated.
Panelo further emphasized that under the Constitution, the COA not only holds the power and authority but also the duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts related to the revenue, receipts, expenditures, and uses of funds and property owned, held in trust by, or pertaining to the government.
Aside from this, Panelo claimed that the House Committee's most extreme action was not only citing Lopez in contempt but also detaining her and attempting to transfer her to a detention facility in the middle of the night.
"In the depth of the night, papasukin mo, you invaded the privacy of a detainee," said Panelo.
VP Sara Duterte's alleged "kill order"
Panelo stated that the recent remarks made by Vice President Sara Duterte, in which she claimed to have contracted someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez should she be assassinated, should not be considered an active threat.
"How can it be active? Unang-una tignan mo muna kasi ‘yung context. Bakit?" Panelo mentioned.
However, Panelo emphasized that the matter should be taken seriously and investigated to determine why Vice President Duterte made such statements.
He pointed out that Duterte must have had a valid reason for saying such a thing, most probably because of a threat to her life.
